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A 3525 was first introduced in 2013 and then re-introduced in January 2014. According to its summary, the bill “provides for the labeling of food or food products that contain a genetically modified material or that are produced with a genetically modified material.”

According to GMO-Free New York, the bills have 51 co-sponsors in the assembly and 11 in the senate. The assembly bill could come up for a hearing in March.

2013

GMO Free NY Update: New York GMO Labeling Bill A.3525-A was given a hearing on July 30th, 2013. At the end of the hearing the committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz promised to bring the bill up for a vote in January 2014!.

GMO Free NY is a volunteer-run grassroots organization allied with the National Right to Know GMO Coalition of States. We’re here because we believe it’s time for full disclosure and transparency regarding the presence of genetically modified foods and ingredients in our food supply.

Our Mission is to inspire and empower New Yorkers to help us pass a bill to mandate the labeling of genetically engineered food or foods containing genetically engineered ingredients sold in New York by 2014!

On January 10, 2013, HB. 1196 was introduced to the Indiana House of Representatives to require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Dan Forestal and Robin Shackleford and has been assigned to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to the bill summary, HB. 1196:

“Provides that, beginning July 1, 2014, any food that is offered for retail sale is misbranded if it is not disclosed that the food is or may have been entirely or partially produced with genetic engineering. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2014, a food that is genetically engineered or a processed food may not state or imply that the food is natural. Establishes exceptions to the disclosure requirements and prohibition on stating a food is natural. Requires the state department of health (department) to administer and enforce the disclosure and labeling requirements. Allows the department to adopt rules. Establishes a Class A infraction for violations. Allows the department or a person to seek an injunction for a violation.”

Indiana Right to Know GMO educates the public about the effects of genetically engineered foods upon health and environment and supports legislation to label genetically engineered foods so that consumers may know what they are buying to feed themselves and their families.

H 7042 was introduced in January 2014 by Democratic Rep. Dennis Canario, and has five sponsors.

According to the text, in addition to requiring labeling of genetically-engineered foods, the bill also defines “natural” as follows: “Which has not been treated with preservatives, antibiotics, synthetic additives, artificial flavoring or artificial coloring; Which has not been processed in a manner that makes such food significantly less nutritive; and Which has not been genetically engineered.”

On January 29, the committee recommended the bill held for further study.

Similarly S 2226 was introduced in January 2014 and also held for study.

As a coalition of states, we need a movement of people to tell the Government that we have a right to know what is in our Foods. GMO Labeling is just a small step forward in making the future of our nation a healthier one. We need to be educated about what we are eating. Act now and tell your local legislator to stand for your rights.

HB 1 was introduced was introduced in August 2013, and referred to committee in October 2013. You can read that bill text here and track its status here.

SB 558 was introduced in December 2013 by Senator Jeremy Ring. According to the bill text, foods made with genetically engineered ingredients “must include a clear and conspicuous statement with the words ‘contains genetically engineered ingredients,’ followed by the name of the genetically engineered ingredient or ingredients, on the front or back of the package.”

On March 1, 2013, HB 1233 was introduced to the Florida House of Representatives to require mandatory labeling requirements for genetically engineered foods and raw agricultural commodities. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Mark S. Pafford and Michele Vasilinda.

On March 2, 2013, a companion bill, S.1728 was introduced in the Florida Senate by Senator Maria Lorts Sachs.

In addition, efforts are also currently underway by state labeling advocates to introduce a ballot initiative for the 2014 election.

GMO Free Florida is a grassroots organization that educates & organizes to bring awareness on the issue of Genetically Modified Organisms in our food and environment. Our goal is to get mandatory labeling, and/or restrictions of GMOs in Florida and eventually ban the release of all GMO’s into the environment.

HB 2143 was introduced in January 2014 by Representative Cary Condotta, and would require the following labeling on salmon: “Private sector cultured aquatic salmon or salmon products as farm-raised salmon; Commercially caught salmon or salmon products as commercially caught salmon; or Genetically engineered salmon or salmon products as being genetically engineered.”

You can read the bill here and track its status here.

2013

Washington state has an initiative filed for the November 5th, 2013 ballot, but this measure could also be adopted by the state legislature prior to the election.

On January 4, 2013, advocates for open and transparent food labeling submitted more than 340,000 signatures to file Initiative 522, “The People’s Right To Know Genetically Engineered Food Act” to qualify for the November ballot. The

If passed, I-522 “would require most raw agricultural commodities, processed foods, and seeds and seed stocks, if produced using genetic engineering as defined, to be labeled as genetically engineered when offered for retail sale.”

On January 17, 2013, Senate Bill 5073 was introduced to the Washington Senate by Senators Chase, Kline, Keiser, Rolfes, and Hasegawa.

In Washington, I-522 was filed as an initiative to the Legislature, which means it would first go to the Legislature for possible adoption. Currently hearings are taking place in the Senate and the House to determine if state legislators will pass the bill as drafted, make amendments to the bill, or the initiative will go to a vote by citizens on November 5th, 2013.